Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Four people have been hit by "projectiles" from a "pellet gun"-wielding sniper in the Briggs Chaney area of Silver Spring since January 23, according to Montgomery County police. Detectives have obtained surveillance footage of a suspect they believe was the shooter in one of the incidents, and are seeking the public's help to identify and locate him.

The alleged sniper's first victim was in the 3050 block of Briggs Chaney Road on January 23. Police have not said what time of day that first shooting occurred. Detectives said they have reason to believe the additional shootings were related to that one.

On Monday, January 29, at an unspecified time, police responded to the 14100 block of Aldora Circle. An adult male told officers he was struck by "pellets" while standing outside of his home. Six minutes later, 911 received a call from the 13800 block of Outlet Drive. Two adult females there reported they, too, had been struck by "pellets."

Surveillance video from a business on Outlet Drive showed a person police believe is the shooting suspect in the January 29 incidents. The suspect entered that business before shooting the projectiles at the victims on Outlet Drive, detectives said. In the video, the suspect can be seen wielding a gun, and wearing a light-gray hoodie.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents or the identity of the suspect is asked to call the 3rd District Patrol Investigations Unit at 240-773-6800. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest in this crime. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Monday, January 29, 2018

Another busy weekend at the Wheaton Triangle construction site for a future Montgomery County government office building witnessed the assembly of the second tower crane for the project. Part of what remains of Parking Lot 13 had to be temporarily closed, as many vehicles, equipment and a smaller crane are needed to hoist the crane into place.

Friday, January 26, 2018

Construction at Washington Property Company's Solaire 8250 Georgia Avenue apartment building is beginning to rise to street level. The building will be the company's second in Silver Spring's Ripley District, and its fourth Solaire-branded property in the area.

With a height of 20 stories, the Solaire 8250 will hold 338 apartments and 15000 SF of retail space, including outdoor seating for dining. Parking will be located in a three-level undergound garage. Amenities will include a resort-style rooftop swimming pool and deck, cyber cafe, private courtyard, fitness center, and a club room complete with kitchen, library, flatscreen TV, fireplace and game room. Apartments will be a mix of studios and 1-and-2 bedroom units.

Lendlease is the contractor for the project, Design Collective of Baltimore is the architecture firm, and leasing of the street-level retail and restaurant space will be handled by Streetsense. Delivery is expected in Spring 2019.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

The WSSC is hosting a public meeting regarding the Philadelphia Avenue water main replacement project on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 6:30 PM at the Takoma Park Community Center, located at 7500 Maple Avenue. WR Sewage and Excavation was awarded the contract by the utility, for a major project the WSSC says will cost $2.3 million.

841' of 8" water mains, 37' of 10" water mains, 1702" of 12" water mains, 4235' of 16" water mains, and 2155' of water-to-house connections will be replaced as part of this project. The water-to-house connections have been subcontracted to MRB Enterprise, Inc., and B& J Construction Co. will haul away dirt by truck, according to the WSSC contract.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

United Therapeutics' new Unisphere is rising over downtown Silver Spring. A 120000 SF expansion of the firm's downtown Silver Spring campus, the Unisphere expected to deliver this year. It will include a six-story office building, retail space, and a parking garage.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

The comeback of the Quarry House Tavern from a disastrous 2015 fire is nearly upon us. Construction (or re-construction) of the space at 8401 Georgia Avenue should be complete in about two weeks. With Montgomery County inspections in mind, the bar's ownership predicts they could reopen in mid-to-late February.

Monday, January 22, 2018

The first tower crane is now assembled at the Lot 13 construction site of the future Montgomery County office building in the Wheaton Triangle. This coming weekend, the second of two cranes will arrive for installation. The north tower crane will be 405' tall. A mobile crane used to erect it will arrive Friday, and County officials say it will take the whole day to get the mobile crane set up for the weekend.

Starting Friday at 6:00 AM, and continuing through 6:00 PM Sunday, the west side of Lot 13 will close. The lot closure will allow Grandview Avenue to stay open for the weekend. Permit spaces in Lot 13 will remain open during the temporary closure.

A special excavator is currently removing soil from the site, where workers have reached the bottom of the dig. Excavation is now scheduled to be completed by the end of next week. Expect the Midcounty Services Center building to be demolished in the next two weeks, weather permitting (always a big "if" in January and February).

Horizontal piping will be installed to connect the already-installed geothermal wells, which will supply 30% of the energy used by the completed office building, according to County officials. Meanwhile, here are some scenes of the crane installation crew assembling the first tower crane: